Elmhurst Nursing Home originated as a TB hospital

Dr. Lincoln Chenoweth helped establish the Jasper County T.B. Hospital because tuberculosis was a major cause of death among the miners and was often carried home to family members. Tuberculosis was such a terrible disease that affected the entire area. Nobody was immune.

During a special election in September 1915, the citizens of Jasper County approved a $100,000 bond issue to build a tuberculosis hospital to primarily take care of sick miners. The vote was 400 over the necessary two-thirds majority. A board of five directors was put in charge of the construction.

In April 1916, a 40-acre tract was offered by J.A. Daugherty of Carterville and another 40 acre tract was offered by J. M. Leonard of Joplin. The Daugherty land was described as one mile north and ½ mile west of Webb City, making it six miles from Joplin. Leonard’s land was just north of Joplin near Davis Lake. (North of Turkey Creek on the west side of North Main Street, close to Oakland Road (Zora Street). The five directors cast secret votes, with three voting for the Daugherty land and two for the Leonard land.

The 125-bed hospital was built of brick and stone in a semi-circle park-like setting. There were sleeping porches on the front, where patients could enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The beautiful building was completed in the latter part of 1917, but the opening was delayed due to financing. State funding that had been promised for the operation of the hospital did not materialize.

Solicitation of funds began with a goal of $25,000. It was believed that was the amount needed to get the institution opened and that would put the hospital in better shape for obtaining state aid. The goal was reached in March 1918. Citizens of Webb City donated linens and supplies and assisted in the grooming of the grounds. They also supplied newspapers, magazines, delicacies and music for the patients. Eventually, the hospital was supported by a small tax levy on property in Jasper County.

The grand opening of the Jasper County Tuberculosis Hospital was in September 1918. More than 3,000 were in attendance on opening day. The extent of the building amazed the visitors, and 35 of the 125 beds were filled.

As time went on, the distance of the T.B. Hospital from Webb City shrank. By 1937, it was half a mile northwest of Webb City. Many Webb City students remember being bused to the T.B. Hospital for their tuberculosis vaccinations provided by the hospital. The hospital kept busy educating the public about preventative measures, and sanitation was a priority.

With the end of the mining era, the need for a tuberculosis hospital decreased. Remaining patients were transferred to a facility in Mount Vernon. In 1956, at the suggestion of a citizen committee headed by Juanita Wallower, the hospital was converted to a nursing home and reopened as Elmhurst. By 1960, a staff of 48 provided care for 116 resident patients. The facility was supported by the Jasper County Association for Social Services. In 1981, circuit judges Herbert Casteel and Thomas Elliston announced the county was “going out of the business of running group care homes,” which led to the closing of Elmhurst.

In 1986, a new nursing home facility was built directly behind the old Elmhurst building. Elmhurst was demolished, and its replacement is now an Aspire Senior Living facility.

The grounds still had a park-like feel until October 1993, when a tornado traveled through the northwest section of Webb City and took down quite a few of those grand old trees. The grounds are still beautiful, there are just fewer majestic trees.